Page 32 of Broken Dreams
That wouldn’t have been our reality. My job was exhilarating and something I dreamed of doing since I was a kid. Being in the air fills my soul, but being a fighter pilot was who I was.
I exhale, letting go of that thought, and see my brother’s shit-eating grin. “I hear you got yourself a hot date tomorrow.”
“Not you too.”
He raises both hands. “I’m not judging or giving you shit, just saying that I work with cows all day and I heard about it.”
“Where?”
“Ranch hands are like old women, they talk so much shit, I swear I’m in high school. Also, it’s not like you’re being quiet about it. Dancing at Peakness and then the diner, what the hell did you expect?”
Exactly what it achieved. People are talking, which means they believe it, which means that hopefully Mr. Kopaskey, who is the investor I was talking to last week, will hear about it soon. All of it leading to the credibility I need to make them think I’m worth giving money to.
All of this is perfect, I have a girlfriend without any complications or expectations.
“I forget privacy is a luxury.”
“Because the navy was any better?” he asks.
No, it was even worse. “Not better, just different.”
Rowan clasps his hand on my shoulder. “Well, brother, better get used to it.”
“Is that why you don’t date?”
He laughs. “I don’t date because bitches be crazy.”
“Or the fact you call them bitches,” I toss back.
“I have too much shit to worry about with the farm, the new land, and the horses. Plus, since you came back, Brynn has been preoccupied with making you happy and not lonely, so I’ve had a break from the nagging.”
This plan is almost too perfect if I get the added benefit of annoying Rowan since he’ll be off my back. “Happy to help.”
“I gotta say, I’m shocked that it’s Addison Davis of all the people.” He grins with one brow quirked.
I don’t know why everyone is so hung up on this. Addison is a beautiful, single woman who is intelligent and kind. Why wouldn’t anyone be attracted to her? If I wasn’t so busy getting my life together, I would consider wanting to date her.
Maybe.
If I was open to it, which I’m not.
“Why does that surprise everyone?”
“It doesn’t really. Just didn’t know she was ready to date again until I heard about Phil. I mean, I get why you’d go after her, she’s hot.”
“Is that the most important part?”
Rowan shrugs. “Tell me it doesn’t matter and I’ll call you a liar.”
“Of course attraction matters.” And I’m attracted to her, which makes this fake relationship easier to believe.
“Exactly my point. It’s just that she came here years ago, dealing with a lot. She was just...I don’t know, sad.”
I want to slap him upside the head. Of course she was sad, she lost her fucking husband.
“Could be because her husband died...”
Rowan rolls his eyes. “I know that, dickface. I’m just saying it was more than that. Like, she smiled, but it was never real. She laughed, but it sounded dead. When she opened Run to Me with her friend, things really looked up for her.”
